New GYINers oriented on GYIN concept

By Mariam Saine-Sanyang

Gambia GYINers

The Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN)-Gambia Chapter on Monday 26 October, 2015 held a daylong presentation on the networks programmes and activities as well as its scope of operation in the country and beyond at its secretariat in Churchill’s Town to orient its new members called 

GYINers on the concept of GYIN.

Presented by the GYIN Gambia coordinator, Mamadou Edrisa Njie, the gathering brought together GYINers from West Coast Region and Kanifing Municipality who are interested in the daily affairs of the organization.

“GYIN-Gambia Chapter has launched a massive campaign to be organizing a biweekly orientation ‘I am a GYINer’ to orientation our new members,” says the GYIN Gambia coordinator, while delivering his keynote remarks during the opening ceremony of the occasion.

He expressed disappointment that some GYINers who don’t have much understanding about GYIN due to their lack of full participation in the organization’s activities.

“We have some active members in the organization who are doing very well but there are also some who don’t know the aims and objectives of GYIN,” he said, while noting that as an organization member, you need to know your executive, mission and vision as well as your motto of the organisation.

After this orientation campaign, Njie explained, the organization will restructure its regional chapters in 2016 saying that GYINers who are committed in the network will be given executive positions.

During his presentation, he quoted sections in the African Youth Charter and The Gambian Youth Policy which gives the young people the right to assemble and to join associations in order to contribute meaningfully towards the development of this country.

The GYIN national coordinator further said that the young people are agents of change; therefore they need to work very hard in nation building as enshrined in the National Youth Policy.

Also speaking on the occasion, the GYIN financial controller, Mariam Saine-Sanyang commended the GYINers for their commitment and readiness in the interest of the organization.

She highlighted various tips and benefits of forming an organization, which according to her, pays off as it can build their capacities and expose them to pertinent development issues.

She also advised the GYINers to be more focused; development oriented and let the organization interest supersede their own individual interest.

One of the GYINers, Ousainou Saine who also doubled as a member of ILM FOR ALL, a youth organisation operating in KMC and NBR for his part, preaches on the importance of voluntarism.

“We need to have the spirit of voluntarism in our DNAs and be ready to serve as the world is all about challenge,” he said.

Mr. Saine also challenge the GYINers to be focused, saying that young people should take up the initiative upon themselves to know the national constitutions and the youth charter in order to defend their rights.

Mr. Ousainou Jallow, Bulock Kapongha Youth Development Association in Foni and Mariama F Dem delivered the vote of thanks.